Government cycle-proofing success for British Cycling

British Cycling has welcomed David Cameron’s commitment to put cycling at the heart of transport policy.

The Prime Minister has today announced he will introduce measures to ensure ‘cycle-proofing’ – British Cycling’s term for the practice of designing provision for cycling into all new roads and junctions – is common practice for councils.

Brian Cookson OBE, President of British Cycling, said: “British Cycling has taken the lead role in campaigning for cycle-proofing as a means of sustaining the substantial gains we have made in getting more people on bikes.

“So it is very encouraging that Mr Cameron has shown leadership by recognising that better provision for people who want to travel by bike is fundamental to modern transport policy.”

In the plans announced today, the Government will expect councils to cycle-proof all highway and traffic schemes and require the Highways Agency to improve cycle travel along or across trunk and motorway corridors.

The Prime Minister confirmed £94million of funding to encourage more people to use bikes in eight major cities and four national parks. He also announced a competition for cycle-friendly schools and a feasibility study for improved provision for cycling along the corridor of the High Speed 2 rail line.

To mark today’s announcement on cycle-proofing, British Cycling has produced a video explaining the concept with British Cycling policy advisor Chris Boardman.

Chris Boardman said: “Put simply, cycle-proofing is about ensuring that cycling is designed into all new roads and junctions. From this point forward the goal should be to make any new infrastructure safer for cyclists, more convenient and make it a more desirable thing to do.”

Mr Cameron was joined in Watford today by British Cycling president Brian Cookson, British Cycling Performance Director Sir Dave Brailsford and Olympic and Paralympic champions Sir Chris Hoy, Victoria Pendleton and Jody Cundy.

Sir Dave Brailsford said: “If Britain is to continue to produce Tour de France winners and Olympic and Paralympic cycling champions, we need as many people on bikes as possible and to do that we have to ensure there is better provision for cyclists of all abilities.

“British Cycling has consistently delivered on its targets for elite success and for participation but for those successes to be sustainable we need help from national and local government to make cycling accessible to as many people as possible."

The Prime Minister visited the British Cycling-supported Watford Cycle Hub and met volunteer ride leaders for Breeze, British Cycling’s programme to get more women started in cycling, and children and coaches from Go-Ride, British Cycling’s development programme for young people.